Scholarship Recipient Story: Kristin Shum

After arriving in Scotland, I soon realised that though I was in a new, exciting, absolutely beautiful place, I was without the friends and teammates that I was so accustomed to having at my home university. Luckily that feeling didn’t last long, as joining the Glasgow University Women’s Rugby team immediately gave me a group of girls that I felt like I could belong to. My teammates were so welcoming to me, and through them I felt immersed in the school and sport culture of Glasgow Uni. Most every day was filled with games or practices, and soon my Wednesdays turned in to “BUCS Wednesdays”, and my Sundays turned in to bus trips, rugby games, and clubhouse socials. I am so grateful to have been able to play a sport that I love abroad in a new country, learning their rugby traditions, playing on flooded fields in the pouring rain, and travelling all around the country to play. I played on beautiful pitches from Aberdeen, to Stirling, to Edinburgh, to St. Andrews, all while being able to see the green rolling hills on our bus trips to and from. Because of joining the team, I was able to make a lot more local friends and believe I gained a much richer and deeper understanding of Scotland and Glasgow University, all while leaving the country with friends I hope to keep in touch with for a long time. The Melanie Woiwode Scholarship allowed me to have the freedom to join the team without worrying about the financial cost. I could play every week and travel on game days and not have to be hindered by the cost of membership and dues. I greatly appreciate the support given to me as a scholarship recipient, and would encourage any UCEAP applicant to apply for the grant and join a sports team abroad. Joining the Glasgow University Rugby team absolutely made my experience in Scotland so special, and I will remember it for a lifetime.